Preordered. Awesome to see it at the top of the best sellers list.

[QUOTE=Effect]The NoA of the N64 and Cube era is gone. Those that were able to advertise and push Nintendo games on those systems I believe are no longer there and they weren't replaced by anyone. There is a big void that has been there ever since the Wii launched and Reggie showed up.[/QUOTE]

Honestly I still find it shocking that they actually localized Baten Kaitos Origins at the end of the GC's life. Thank god they did since it's one of the best games of all time but still weird.

[QUOTE=Jaded Alyx]Come to think of it, didn't the Japanese release have american VA to begin with?

[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6UR3UVB4U8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6UR3UVB4U8[/URL][/QUOTE]

I'm sorry, this trailer is too epic to let languish. DAMN YOU NINTENDO DISASTER LOOKS SO DAMN AMAZING AND YOU CONTINUE TO NOT GIVE IT TO US.

GAAAAAH.

[QUOTE=Effect]I think this could be a case of who they were advertising it to. I recall seeing ads for it during kids shows. Shows where I assume the target market weren't playing RPGs at all do to various reasons and if they were they had their time taken up with Pokemon. NoA's marketing in general is horrible. It's like outside of casual games they have no clue what to do or how to sell their own games. This is something they brought upon themselves because they pretty much embraced that market when the Wii started selling like crazy and washed their hands in regard to everyone else. The titles that do well like Brawl, Mario, etc do well the face of that because of their branding and history with fans. Not because Nintendo of America actually pushed them.

The NoA of the N64 and Cube era is gone. Those that were able to advertise and push Nintendo games on those systems I believe are no longer there and they weren't replaced by anyone. There is a big void that has been there ever since the Wii launched and Reggie showed up.[/QUOTE]
NOA's advertising was laughably bad in the GC days too (Clean is Better than Dirty!). If anything, I'd say they've improved since that. Nearly everything that wasn't Mario/Zelda/Smash/Metroid kinda bombed on the system too.

Can't really remember N64 though, but their games sold incredibly then.

[QUOTE=Bel Marduk]Honestly I still find it shocking that they actually localized Baten Kaitos Origins at the end of the GC's life. Thank god they did since it's one of the best games of all time but still weird.[/QUOTE]


Different leadership at the time. Leadership that most likely knew they had to support their own console and keep their customers happy. They couldn't leave it up to 3rd parties. NCL seems to understand this. NoE understands this. NoA is just stuck on stupid. The way this is going what NCL wants with the Wii U will not happen, at least not in America.

I forgot about how bad Golden sun bombed. That really might have been the one that certified NoA and Reggie's decision to not bring these over.

Honestly though I think it was just a case of the game being too late. Golden Sun had been a dead series for years. Nobody really cared anymore.

[QUOTE=ShockingAlberto]They would.

Easily.

JRPGs with brand recognition on platforms starved for them often max out at 100k.[/QUOTE]

What are your examples for this statement?

Tales of Symphonia was the best selling Tales game in the west at that point in time when it was released and definitely opened up the path for Vesperia, which also said remarkably well given the 360's demographics. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles sold pretty well.

I mean your statement is so narrow that we have to ignore the PSP, NDS and PS2 completely but what are your examples of JRPGs with brand recognition selling less than 100K?

Someone should probably try updating the TVTropes page to get anyone from over there interested in this, too. [url]http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Xenoblade[/url]

How many preorders have been made? Any guess?

[QUOTE=Phoenix_Apollo]I'm sorry, this trailer is too epic to let languish. DAMN YOU NINTENDO DISASTER LOOKS SO DAMN AMAZING AND YOU CONTINUE TO NOT GIVE IT TO US.

GAAAAAH.[/QUOTE]
Disaster is horrid. Just be glad NoA never gave you the opportunity to waste your money on that shit.

[QUOTE=Luigiv]Disaster is horrid. Just be glad NoA never gave you the opportunity to waste your money on that shit.[/QUOTE]

So far, everything I've seen of Disaster, I've loved. The art style, the campy story, the B-grade VO, and the interesting gameplay choices. Even if it ended up controlling like shit, I can guarantee you I will never think I wasted my money. We need more intentionally B-grade games, I'm telling you.

Besides, I've been waiting for it even before the damn game came out in Japan. At this point, I'll still buy it even if it controls worse than Game Party.

Just got back home and really glad it made it to #1 and is holding strong.

Really all I want out of this campaign is a yes or no. A definitive answer from Nintendo to serve as a go ahead to import. The last thing I want is for everyone to import and Nintendo to announce that they're bringing it over.

Also, great video, Cow.

[QUOTE=Phoenix_Apollo]So far, everything I've seen of Disaster, I've loved. The art style, the campy story, the B-grade VO, and the interesting gameplay choices. Even if it ended up controlling like shit, I can guarantee you I will never think I wasted my money. We need more intentionally B-grade games, I'm telling you.

Besides, I've been waiting for it even before the damn game came out in Japan. At this point, I'll still buy it even if it controls worse than Game Party.[/QUOTE]
Suit yourself. The only thing I found to game to have going for it was the hilariously racist stereotype of Americans.

[QUOTE=Luigiv]Disaster is horrid. Just be glad NoA never gave you the opportunity to waste your money on that shit.[/QUOTE]

Still one of my top 5 Wii games, and it has a significant amount of recognition here on GAF. If you genuinely believe its cool of NoA to have denied it to American audiences for their arbitrary reasons (or Reggies personal opinion of it) than.... lame.

[QUOTE=Kusagari]I forgot about how bad Golden sun bombed. That really might have been the one that certified NoA and Reggie's decision to not bring these over.

Honestly though I think it was just a case of the game being too late. Golden Sun had been a dead series for years. Nobody really cared anymore.[/QUOTE]
Bombed? It's moved like 400-500k hasn't it? Nothing amazing, but surely profitable I would think.

[QUOTE=Luigiv]Suit yourself. The only thing I found to game to have going for it was the hilariously racist stereotype of Americans.[/QUOTE]

For the record, I totally wanted Metal Wolf Chaos to come over here, too.

But yeah, I can see this easily having the same appeal as Deadly Premonition. Easily. And, you know, I just want a goddamned localize title that I care about from Nintendo so bad, I'll take Disaster even if I end up hating it for the rest of my life.

[QUOTE=Instro]Bombed? It's moved like 400-500k hasn't it? Nothing amazing, but surely profitable I would think.[/QUOTE]

more like 40-50k

[QUOTE=Vamphuntr]Yeah this a valid point. I had no idea it bombed that badly since I had trouble finding a copy at launch.[/QUOTE]

I also saw a bunch of stores sold out of the game. I had no idea it sold such little amounts.

[QUOTE=Jigsaw]more like 40-50k[/QUOTE]

Wasn't that the Japanese sales number? Did we ever get the sales for North America and Europe?

[QUOTE=Jigsaw]more like 40-50k[/QUOTE]
40-50k was the first Japan week sales for GS3 iirc.

Regardless I was talking WW, and it looks like you guys were talking NA only. I dont think we've ever gotten NA numbers, but I'm really doubtful the NA sales were less than 100k total.

[QUOTE=Effect]I think this could be a case of who they were advertising it to. I recall seeing ads for it during kids shows. Shows where I assume the target market weren't playing RPGs at all do to various reasons and if they were they had their time taken up with Pokemon. NoA's marketing in general is horrible. It's like outside of casual games they have no clue what to do or how to sell their own games. This is something they brought upon themselves because they pretty much embraced that market when the Wii started selling like crazy and washed their hands in regard to everyone else. The titles that do well like Brawl, Mario, etc do well the face of that because of their branding and history with fans. Not because Nintendo of America actually pushed them.

The NoA of the N64 and Cube era is gone. Those that were able to advertise and push Nintendo games on those systems I believe are no longer there and they weren't replaced by anyone. There is a big void that has been there ever since the Wii launched and Reggie showed up.[/QUOTE]

NOA was not a good advertiser on Cube. Remember "clean is better than dirty and dirty is better than clean"?

Stupid question: why don't they just do a limited run? Is it not free money? I mean, they did it for Super Mario All Stars.

Sell it exclusively on Amazon or some shit.

Did anybody here see Monado at the top of the best seller list before learning of this movement? I kind of wish I did, would have been a real mindfuck until I figured out what was going on.

Nintendo should let this thing ride and don't cancel the pre-orders. Unlike letters Xenoblade is potiential sales.

[QUOTE=Anth0ny]Stupid question: why don't they just do a limited run? Is it not free money? I mean, they did it for Super Mario All Stars.

Sell it exclusively on Amazon or some shit.[/QUOTE]

At this point, I think NoA seriously needs to go Electroplankton on all their 1st and 2nd party Japanese games that are "too small" to roll out a nationwide retail release in the US. Make regular small print runs for the Nintendo World Store and a "NWS Online". Take pre-orders online for each new print run to estimate how many to print if they're so worried about profitability.

[QUOTE=hiro4]Sure. But don't forget the costs of marketing. If you look at triple A titles development and marketing costs are often divided 50/50. Not saying it should cost millions but still.

In the end it all comes down if the game will make a profit. I'm not arguing that NoA is lazy or stubborn because they are but I do believe they have valid reasons for these titles.
I'm more surprised that NoE is releasing them then NoA isnt.

Also I don't think NoA will accept the European localization or voice acting if they sound too European. At least it wouldn't surprise me. Of course this is only a valid reason if they use "European" voice actors.

You may say that is bullshit and it is, but unfortunately that is the entertainment industry.[/QUOTE]

I doubt it takes over 10,000 sales to make a profit on a localization, which is already in English (they only have to partially modify it from British English to North American; voice acting has never been a priority for Nintendo) and which they won't advertise much.

Problem is how much they make, versus doing a more profitable project (ie opportunity cost). As they seem to have limited localization resources, they ignore smaller titles. Wonder how they managed in the previous generation. I mean, they released most GameCube games, except for Giftpia, Kururin Squash, Doshin the Giant and a couple others; though they skipped a lot of GBA ones, still not as many as DS. My only guess is that the sales are much higher now, they don't feel the need to put as much effort as with the failing GameCube.

[QUOTE=Kusagari]I forgot about how bad Golden sun bombed. That really might have been the one that certified NoA and Reggie's decision to not bring these over.

Honestly though I think it was just a case of the game being too late. Golden Sun had been a dead series for years. Nobody really cared anymore.[/QUOTE]

I think that had more to do with the way Japan has let the JRPG industry almost die completely in the west. This has mostly been caused by Japan's focusing on handhelds almost exclusively and a general lack of major franchises, new or old.
The handheld focus and it's far, far cheaper development costs means naturally smaller budgets for things like advertising. With rare exceptions, companies don't spend $1 million in advertising on a game that cost, say, $500,000 to make. It's really lead to a crippling of the genre. Sort of like deliberately starving yourself of nutrients, you know? Its all well and good to make these smaller titles like they've been doing, but sometimes you need to make some noise. Japan has largely forsook doing that this generation entirely, but especially with regards to the JRPG genre.

This means that the problem with this campaign (which I do support) is that people are basically asking Nintendo to revitalize the JRPG genre. Nintendo is the last company I trust to do that.
...although by the same token, if ANY company could do it, it's Nintendo. So who knows?


Nintendo needs to localize these games, though. Especially after all this. I don't think any of them would be huge successes, but there is a lot of value to be had in having and maintaining a core audience. Doubly so with a new console on the horizon. At some point, these internet memes/campaigns/bitch-fests/whatever started to matter and have an effect. When things like, "I hear only the games Nintendo makes are good" start filtering down to the soccer mom types, Nintendo can't afford to just let these things slide anymore. They have to actually start engaging their consumers on a more personal or active basis.
With any luck, this little event will be the thing that makes them realize that.

That said, given the state of the Wii as it is today, the only one I think could sell reasonably well of the 3 is Pandora's Tower. Its much more action oriented and comes across as more of an "old school" type of game. Those seem to do best on the Wii.

[QUOTE=Buddha Beam]That said, given the state of the Wii as it is today, the only one I think could sell reasonably well of the 3 is Pandora's Tower. Its much more action oriented and comes across as more of an "old school" type of game. Those seem to do best on the Wii.[/QUOTE]

The Last Story is a Japanese RPG geared towards the Western audiences. Relatively short, real-time battle... it's basically a JRPG Mass Effect. Just slap a "From the creator of Final Fantasy VII!" on it and you're set. I could see this doing better than Pandora's Tower which just may be too esoteric for its own good.

[QUOTE=Anth0ny]Stupid question: why don't they just do a limited run? Is it not free money? I mean, they did it for Super Mario All Stars.

Sell it exclusively on Amazon or some shit.[/QUOTE]
You may call me crazy, guys, but I really don't think this is about profitability. I really don't.

I think they're afraid of making the Wii "better" before the Wii U release. It's insane and ridiculous but I could totally believe that.

I don't know. There's not really any other reason.. profitability probably isn't it because it's getting released in Europe.

Don't let anyone tell you that Disaster is not good.
It is great fun, and it is totally ridiculous that it was never released in America. If you're okay with B games, you'll probably love it.
[QUOTE=upandaway]You may call me crazy, guys, but I really don't think this is about profitability. I really don't.

I think they're afraid of making the Wii "better" before the Wii U release. It's insane and ridiculous but I could totally believe that.

I don't know. There's not really any other reason.. profitability probably isn't it because it's getting released in Europe.[/QUOTE]
They're more likely jeopardising people's interest in Wii U by not releasing these titles. It's furthering the general impression that Nintendo does not care about hardcore gamers.

[QUOTE=Krev]Don't let anyone tell you that Disaster is not good.
It is great fun, and it is totally ridiculous that it was never released in America. If you're okay with B games, you'll probably love it.[/QUOTE]

Fun is a factor lost to so many these days who only care about games looking or sounding the best. Thankfully, due to the infamy of Deadly Premonition, B-games are suddenly getting noticed. It's a good thing.

[QUOTE=upandaway]You may call me crazy, guys, but I really don't think this is about profitability. I really don't.

I think they're afraid of making the Wii "better" before the Wii U release. It's insane and ridiculous but I could totally believe that.

I don't know. There's not really any other reason.. profitability probably isn't it because it's getting released in Europe.[/QUOTE]

I get where you're coming from, but I think it's clear that Nintendo is going to play the Wii out like the PS2. It'll still be selling pretty well (and quite possibly outselling) when Wii U launches, most likely at a $99 price point.

Is it really a good strategy to make the Wii look like absolute shit (besides Zelda) leading into the Wii U launch? I mean, rumors are saying June 2012 launch for Wii U. That's 12 fucking months from now, and all we'll have is Zelda in November? Seriously?

From Crispy4001's post on the 1UP forums:

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/YcC8a.png[/IMG]


awareness of the game will undoubtedly spread -- even to those who've never heard of Xenoblade.

For example, on Cheapassgamer:

[quote=GundamS]Pre-ordered

I thought this game was coming out here eventually, I didn't know about the recent NoA comments. I will be extremely pissed if they decide not to publish one of the definitive Wii games this gen. It might even influence my Wii U purchase (hear that Reggie)! Props to Sony (and to a lesser degree MS) for bringing niche games even if they flop. Even my new 3ds if region locked wtf. Nintendo, don't disappoint your fanbase.

Sorry for rant, this made me rage[/quote]

It's too bad the placeholder box art isn't very interesting.

We just put Monado on the same fucking level as The Lord of the Rings.

Think about what we've just done, people.

I just decided to go outside my subscribed threads and saw that Nintendo of France confirmed Last Story for Europe. *SIGH*

[quote=Phoenix_Apollo]We just put Monado on the same fucking level as The Lord of the Rings.

Think about what we've just done, people.[/quote]
Awesome! =D

Just wondering if NoA would ignore all this?

I hope this works but I have a feeling that Reggie and NoA won't do anything about it. :(

I don't know how much Reggie has to do with all this, but after NOE doing so many localizations, watching Reggie PR talk his way around NOA's incompetence, and the fact that he doesn't seem to care (based on his interviews) about Nintendo's long time fans, I'm getting pretty tired of the guy.

[QUOTE=TheFLYINGManga_Ka]Just wondering if NoA would ignore all this?

I hope this works but I have a feeling that Reggie and NoA won't do anything about it. :([/QUOTE]
We need to send Geoff Keighley to interview Reggie about this campaign. He wouldn't take any shit.

[QUOTE=Big Papa Husker]I just decided to go outside my subscribed threads and saw that Nintendo of France confirmed Last Story for Europe. *SIGH*
[/QUOTE]

At least it's a guarantee that we will get to experience the game in some form.

People pestered GT to ask about it during E3 but Geoff never brought it up.

[QUOTE=artwalknoon]I don't know how much Reggie has to do with all this, but after NOE doing so many localizations, watching Reggie PR talk his way around NOA's incompetence, and the fact that he doesn't seem to care (based on his interviews) about Nintendo's long time fans, I'm getting pretty tired of the guy.[/QUOTE]
And I just saw the Last Story thread right now. :(

Now I'm REALLY MAD!!!

[quote=Codeblue]At least it's a guarantee that we will get to experience the game in some form.[/quote]
Yeah. I was thinking about ordering for NoE even if NoA releases it here, but them realized that would be a BAD idea as it could screw us out of future localizations if it doesn't sell well.

[quote=TheFLYINGManga_Ka]Just wondering if NoA would ignore all this?

I hope this works but I have a feeling that Reggie and NoA won't do anything about it. :([/quote]
personally, I think this is what NoA will do, act as if nothing happened. I'd love to help, but Amazon doesnt ship games in my country

[quote=vall03]personally, I think this is what NoA will do, act as if nothing happened. I'd love to help, but Amazon doesnt ship games in my country[/quote]
They ignore it, I guarantee they will lose WiiU sales from the "core/hardcore" gamers.

[QUOTE=vall03]personally, I think this is what NoA will do, act as if nothing happened. I'd love to help, but Amazon doesnt ship games in my country[/QUOTE]

I dunno. If it were a few questions at E3 from the press they could dismiss it. This is a full blown campaign brought on by disgruntled fans hitting their social media sites that they use for advertising purposes too. It doesn't look good on them if they ignore their most ardent fans. I think that they'll almost have to address it at some point since it has gotten a decent amount of exposure thus far and I don't think the Nintendo hoarde is gonna rest until there's an answer one way or the other.

This is Nintendo's situation to win or lose. I want to see how they handle it.

[QUOTE=Big Papa Husker]They ignore it, I guarantee they will lose WiiU sales from the "core/hardcore" gamers.[/QUOTE]
I said it before but what's the possibility of NoA ignoring other franchises that don't have a large market? Dragon Quest X? For the Wii U, Metroid? Pikmin 3? Endless Ocean? Punch-Out?

Looks like that's where NoA is going!

Over on the IGN thread a poster has another great idea: adding the Japanese versions of Last Story and Pandora's Tower to our wish lists!

[quote=Fieryblast]Hello once again, Project Rainfall. I was trying to see if there was a way we could also use Amazon to show support for The Last Story and Pandora's Tower. As you are likely aware at this point, Monado is the only one out of the three titles that can be preordered on Amazon. This prevents us from showing similar support for the other two titles.

Luckily, I stumbled upon an alternative that could get just as much attention! You see, Amazon also has a "Most Wished For" section to their listing:

[img]http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn270/msanis88/MostWishedFor.png[/img]

Furthermore, The Last Story has a Japanese Import listing on Amazon:

[img]http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn270/msanis88/TheLastStory.png[/img]

... and finally, Pandora's Tower also has a Japanese Import listing on Amazon:

[img]http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn270/msanis88/PandorasTower.png[/img]

Now. Put the pieces together. While it doesn't carry quite as much weight as an actual preorder-- which we are unable to do at this time-- we can generate hype for these games and further promote them by making them the top 3 wished for games on Amazon! I propose you add this as an optional instruction to the blog, as I think it can definitely help our cause.

Also, I've already mentioned it a few times, but I really think posting inquiries about these games on Nintendo's Support Forum would be a good idea. Only Club Nintendo members can post there. Since Club Nintendo members are paying Nintendo fans, whom Nintendo regularly surveys, I think this has a particular weight to it. Lets not forget the fact that, like Nintendo's Facebook and Twitter, it is moderated by Nintendo staff. Obviously our messages need to be a bit more refined than the ones posted on Facebook and Twitter, but I think it is a medium that should be considered in this campaign.[/quote]

I also found that Fatal Frame has a Japanese listing. I added that to my Wish List too!
[URL="http://www.amazon.com/Tsukihami-Kamen-Japanese-Video-Nintendo-Wii/dp/B001ADW51S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309071652&sr=8-1"]http://www.amazon.com/Tsukihami-Kamen-Japanese-Video-Nintendo-Wii/dp/B001ADW51S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309071652&sr=8-1[/URL]

Added both to my wishlist! :)

[QUOTE=Big Papa Husker]Over on the IGN thread a poster has another great idea... adding the Japanese versions of Last Story and Pandora's Tower to our wish lists![/QUOTE]

Sure, I'll do this. Might as well.

Oh man, I want Last Story and Pandora's Tower so badly. :(